Page 12 of Striking Range

Skylar nudges me, whispering “Dare” in my direction almost as if to bait me.

“Dare,” I say, because of course I do.

“I dare you to tell us your biggest kink.”

My eyes widen, and I stammer, “W-what?! When did this game get so dirty?”

“We’re in college, dude.” Kelly says it like it’s obvious.

Skylar scoffs. “Come on, you’re way more experienced than you’re letting on. Just say it.”

His eyes are once again curious and probing.

The issue is, I don’t know my biggest kink. Sure, I have a lot of sex, but it isn’t necessarily kinky sex. Will I embarrass myself if I say that? Should I lie?

No, Skylar will know if I do; he knows me too well.

Everyone is waiting, patient but breath-bated. I guess I’ll share the one thing I know I like for sure—the one thing that comes as naturally to me as climaxing does.

“Well, I wouldn’t say it’s my biggest kink, but I am a sucker for praise,” I say casually, like this isn’t a big deal or so embarrassing I might just die.

“Wait, like being praised by your girlfriend?” Henry asks, tilting his head ever so slightly.

“No, I mean praising someone. You know—” I clear my throat, feeling my face flush once more. “—like good girl or worshipping someone and all that.”

I take a large pull from my cup, trying to hide my shame.

Kelly whistles lowly. “I can see why you’re so popular, Ev.”

I laugh awkwardly at the compliment, letting my gaze find Skylar for the first time since the question was asked. He’s outwardly staring at me, expression empty as he dissociates.

Maybe he wasn’t listening, far too drunk to bother. A part of me hopes he wasn’t. I feel stupid.

“Anyway,” I interject, “Kelly, truth or dare?”

“Dare!”

“Uh…” I have to keep up with the theme or risk judgment from the crowd; I’m sure of it. “I dare you to kiss someone in the circle.” And after a moment, I add, “Anyone but me.”

“Asshole,” she mutters under her breath, then starts crawling toward me anyway—probably just to spite me.

Oh well, I guess I’ll let her. Kelly is pretty, and she might be close enough to be considered family, but one kiss won’t hurt.

Only, she crawls until she’s right next to me, planting herself right in front of Skylar.

“Oh, wow,” he giggles, face reddening slightly as he grins.

“Happy birthday, sweet Sky.” Then she presses her lips to his, and I feel all of the color in my face drain away.

It’s suddenly incredibly quiet throughout the apartment, as if all sound has been sucked out of the space. There’s no air left to breathe.

Kelly’s hand finds Skylar’s cheek as his eyelids flutter closed. They’re so close to me that I can see the stretch of his lips and the tense movement of his jaw.

As I catch a flash of his tongue pushing into her mouth, my hand shoots out, gently pushing her away with an awkward laugh. “Alright, alright. I said kiss, not eat each other.”

An inferno is burning within me as Kelly sends me a curious smile, big eyes twinkling in the dim living room lights. She gives Skylar a wink before moving back to her seat.

And little Skylar is fist-pumping the air as everyone cheers, clearly amused by the whole encounter.